Rockin' the Fox (LP)

[LOAH]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]Needing to stay local again, yet another Lower Provo trip was slated for Saturday's fishing fix.

Armed with both a fly and a spinning rod, I hoped to give the long rod a little workout near Canyon Glen. If that failed, I had my trusty backup, the gold Vibrax, ready to go. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

The first hole I tried was the farthest bridge upstream at Canyon Glen Park. The water poured into two deep pockets along either bank and it looked really fishy. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

My flies landed where I wanted them, but it didn't seem to matter what bugs I threw, as they were ignored. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Luckily, I had my Blue Fox and quickly rounded up the only fish left in the hole that I hadn't already spooked. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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Just upstream, there were some small pockets behind boulders in a faster section and I got a good cast right where it needed to be. Coming in from that was a nice one with deep red speckles. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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Not a bad size for the LP, though it was a little on the skinny side. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Just upstream from that was another good sized fish, also looking scrawny. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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With every new stretch of river, the fly rod was attempted, but nothing came of it until I placed a hopper/dropper only inches from the bank. With a quick splash, my hopper was gone and I lifted my rod to a thrashing little brown, which only stayed on for a few moments before shaking off. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Doh! It happened again! In all my time on the water, I've still NEVER brought a fish to hand from a dry fly, on the fly rod. Behind a bubble, yes, but never from the whip. There have been several times where I fought a willing fish, only to have them release themselves. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Shameful, isn't it? In my defense, fishing dries is something I rarely attempt, usually stripping in meaty buggers or drifting nymphs. Most of the time, I use a dry as an indicator more than an offering. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Oh well. It'll happen soon enough. Maybe I just need to leave all my other gear in the truck one day and dedicate a "dry or bust" day. I know a great place to get that done. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Back to the Blue Fox, more catches came in. It was a pleasant surprise to have the river to myself, mostly. Very peaceful for a Saturday. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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There was one other fisherman that I came upon. He was with his daughter (I assume) and it didn't look as though he was moving around much. Giving him a wide berth, I left the river quite a bit downstream from him and didn't enter again until I was about 50 yds upstream from him. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

As I passed them, I asked his daughter if he was catching anything and she shook her head impatiently. That's too bad. He never moved one way or another, as long as I saw him, so maybe that had something to do with it... [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Near an old bridge, there was a really good hole that looked promising enough to spend some time at. After several passes with a blue fox, no fish came to hand, but it just didn't seem right to leave yet. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Switching to a Gulp! minnow, I tossed into the head of the pool and slowly worked it back to me and that's when I saw two very nice browns at my feet. These were both over 20", likely 22 or more. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Neither fish acted as if they'd seen me, so I kept tossing to the head of the pool and working the minnow carefully, making sure to keep my body's motion to a minimum. Though the fish didn't spook, they only came to investigate and leave it alone. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Considering that they seemed to swim together and move almost in unison, perhaps they had spawning on their minds rather than feeding. It didn't stop me from trying several other presentations though, all ignored. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Seeing how the Gulp! had enticed the most action from them, I switched back to that and eventually allowed myself to try the next couple of holes upstream. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Another nice brown came from the next spot, but it definitely wasn't one of the hogs I'd been trying for. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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It was obvious that those two browns weren't going to cooperate with me, and the evening was coming to a close, so I finished with that stretch and called it a day. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

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It was a satisfying day and most of my catches had impressive size for that section of river, although they seemed very skinny. They were likely post-spawn fish that just needed to keep on feeding, which I released them all to do. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

It was great to get some Blue Fox mojo flowing again. Only a few bites were missed and many willing fish were admired. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Somehow after more than four hours, I had only traveled about a quarter mile from where I originally put in. I guess I just like to work all the possibilities in every stretch. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]

Happy Fishing, Humans. [/size][/#000000][/font] [font "Comic Sans MS"][#000000][size 4]
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[JustJim]

Nice. Even though they are a bit thin, the red spots make up for it. Those are some gorgeous fish.
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[Travis23]

Awesome looking fish! That little fishing trip would be the perfect fix....
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[LOVBASS117]

Dude I have that app the spots are not real u can tell (photo shop)!
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[LOAH]

Excuse me?[mad]

You don't know me very well if you're making that claim.

1. I don't own photoshop or any real editing software that I know how to use.

2. App? No cell phone or apps loaded on either pc.

3. All my photos are "raw", meaning I don't do any editing (aside from resize/cropping) after the photo was taken.

Not trying to knock anyone who edits their photos, but I certainly don't. If I can't use the camera's settings to capture what the moment really looks like, then I have failed (which I do, often) and the pic is deleted.

I don't even amp up the red filters on my pics like some others do. Look at my fingers. Natural color, not unnaturally pink, like other pics taken with the filters turned up.

Sorry, that's a little pet peeve of mine. Don't call out my pics because they're always genuine.
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[Jmaze]

I believe everybody here has your back on the beautiful pictures and simply amazing posts. Don't beat him up to badly...[]
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[remo_5_0]

Your busted Loah!!! Quit photoshopping your pics.[:p]
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[Blueboy22]

Great pic's and report Loah. Me and a friend spend many hours on the lower Provo as of late and just can't explain in words the colors this year on some of the Browns and unfortunately my Phone Camera doesn't catch them.
I'm sure you could have found that magic Fly in time but like you, I love My Gold Blue Fox and also a Brook Trout Rapala on the LP, Never needed anything else to have a great day of Fishing there. Thanks for sharing.
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[gaetzchamp]

LOAH-

I've quit taking a fly rod and a spinning rod with me on trips. It creates too much confusion and I'm too quick to give one up for the other. I've found if I commit to one rod, it focuses my attention on what tackle I'm using and forces me to slow down.

Great looking fish you got into the other day. If you're gonna use Photoshop, you might as well add a few more pounds to them!!! []

Gaeter
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[TylerKunz]

[quote gaetzchamp]LOAH-

I've quit taking a fly rod and a spinning rod with me on trips. It creates too much confusion and I'm too quick to give one up for the other. I've found if I commit to one rod, it focuses my attention on what tackle I'm using and forces me to slow down.

Great looking fish you got into the other day. If you're gonna use Photoshop, you might as well add a few more pounds to them!!! [] Great looking fish! and im the same way, if i have two rods i tend to think i need to switch to catch fish and then i end up not catching a thing!

Gaeter[/quote]
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[flygoddess]

[quote gaetzchamp]LOAH-

I've quit taking a fly rod and a spinning rod with me on trips. It creates too much confusion and I'm too quick to give one up for the other. I've found if I commit to one rod, it focuses my attention on what tackle I'm using and forces me to slow down.

Great looking fish you got into the other day. If you're gonna use Photoshop, you might as well add a few more pounds to them!!! []

Gaeter[/quote]


If you wanna catch fish, go with what you feel comfortable. If you want to go fly fishing, then stay committed.
I bought this shirt in Montana and liked it so much I have it on my car

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[LOAH]

[laugh]
Well it's true. My fly skills are "less than great", but I have a very hard time committing, since I'm in it for a little bit of everything on most trips.

If I only took one rod to most places, it wouldn't be a fly rod. Definitely not if I've driven a great distance either.

I've found that when I don't bring a fly rod, there are times that I wish I had it, though it would be useless for much of the time.

Just like when I fish certain creeks with a steep gradient, deep pools, and fast water. For me, trying to use a fly rod all day would be a poor use of gas $, but there may be a few spots where it would be just right.

That's always been the case with me though; Not limiting myself one way or the other. Keeping options open keeps fish in my hands and I don't feel the least bit ashamed to switch methods if one isn't working out.
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[doggonefishin]

RE"Well it's true. My fly skills are "less than great",

Well LOAH, with your mad photoshopping skillz, all you need to do is tell us that you caught the fish on dries and photoshop in a BWO to the snout of the fish. We'd never know better.[]

Seriously, nice report as always.



FGoddess, I resemble the remark on that T-shirt. Loved it!
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[LOAH]

After reading through this again, it seems as though I've been a bit sensitive.[laugh]

Sorry for that. You'll have to excuse me a little. I'm on day 4, smoke free.[shocked]

Yep. Thanksgiving is when I went "cold turkey".

I'll try to be nicer.[:p]
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[flygoddess]

Hang in there. almost four years for me and I still miss them.
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[LOAH]

Nice. 4 years ago, I was just starting back up.

This is my third round of quitting, both previous times over a year without.

Strangely enough, this time has been easier than the other two by far.

I've passed the major tests too! Surviving a day of fishing was a big one and surviving a day at work was another.

I should be set now.[]
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[flygoddess]

Smoking...the easiest habit in the world to stop...I have done it thousands of times[laugh]
Mine was the third try as well.
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[FSBO_SLAYER]

Third time's the charm. You can do it. Just look at it as extra gas money for your fishing trips [].
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[LOAH]

That's definitely a stipulation.

Really it's just easier to quit smoking than it is to continue, at this point.

$$$$[:/]
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[gaetzchamp]

LOAH-

Hey, that's great news. Good Luck and best wishes on this go-round. You can do it.

Gaetz
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